OWSD remembers Prof. Roseanne Diab

The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) joins the global scientific community in mourning the passing and celebrating the life of Prof. Roseanne Diab. Prof. Diab was an ardent supporter of gender in and for science, demonstrated by a distinguished career and her immense contributions to advancing gender equality in support of scientific excellence.

Prof. Diab was an eminent atmospheric scientist who epitomised women’s contributions to science through her research on air quality, atmospheric pollution, tropospheric ozone variability, and climate change. She produced the first estimates of wind power potential in South Africa, publishing the first Wind Atlas of South Africa in 1995. Prof Diab also bridged academia and policy through her service to the International Ozone Commission (IOC), the Commission on Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Pollution (CACGP), the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), and as Co-Chair of the InterAcademy Council (IAP) panel reviewing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

When Prof. Diab transitioned from academia to lead the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), she brought along her passion for gender equality in science. During her tenure, ASSAf established the OWSD South Africa National Chapter and became the Southern African focal point of GenderInSITE, an international initiative aimed at raising awareness among decision-makers on the gender and science, innovation, technology, and engineering (SITE) dimensions of development. Under her leadership, the first global survey of women in science at academies of science was conducted, providing concrete recommendations to advance gender equity. Following her tenure at ASSAf, Prof Diab served as Director of GenderInSITE and chaired the Gender Advisory Committee of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). She firmly believed that reforming scientific institutions through deliberate policies and actions would promote excellence and create a scientific enterprise that is inclusive for all.

Prof. Diab emerged as a global leader in STEM education, particularly in gender equity and sustainability science. Through her directorships at ASSAf and GenderInSITE, she made significant contributions to the scholarship and leadership of our multidisciplinary community and became a pivotal figure in advancing its mission.

We celebrate Prof. Diab’s dedication to mentoring women in science, raising awareness of gender in and for science among policymakers, and leading institutional initiatives that increased women’s participation in science.

We mourn Prof. Diab's passing and remember her dedication, unwavering commitment, excellence, and generosity. We stand with her family, loved ones, and the scientific community in celebrating an extraordinary life and enduring legacy.